Mercedes keeping team orders options open in Japan

SUZUKA, Japan -- Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff says he will keep his options open over the use of team orders at the Japanese Grand Prix, but plans to avoid the misunderstandings that occurred at the last race in Russia.

If the way in which Mercedes enacted team orders at the Russian Grand Prix seemed clumsy, it's because it was. Laurence Edmondson picks through the botched strategy calls that led to Valtteri Bottas being ordered to move aside.

Valtteri Bottas was ordered to move aside for teammate Lewis Hamilton on lap 25 of the Russian Grand Prix, ultimately handing victory to Hamilton 36 laps later. The decision divided opinion among fans but was made all the more controversial as Bottas…